Absolutely fabulous. What a timely and wonderful novel. Well done! Emotionally poignant, thought provoking, powerful. I think many of us during pandemic learned to slow down and appreciate the little things. I feel vulnerable, fragile and full of infinite sadness after reading this book, but in the best of ways. I am so glad for the opportunity to read this novel. Thank you!

Jodi Picoult does what I thought would be impossible - She managed to write a book about the beginning days of the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that kept me reading.

Diana O'Toole had here life planned out - and she was on track t meet all of her goals. She was about to get a promotion at Sotheby's. She was excited to be heading to the Galapagos Islands with her boyfriend., Finn.Things seemed perfect. And then, COVID derailed her plans and disrupts the world.

Finn, a surgeon in New York, is unable to leave the city for a vacation. He tells Diana that she should go anyway - get away from the city, So she does. And as time goes by, and the two-week shut-down turned into more, Diana finds herself questioning her life and her relationships.

This book reminded me of how I felt at the beginning of 2020 - the confusion, fear, anger, uncertainty. It also reminded me that good can come from bad.

Take a chance on a book that may be a little uncomfortable to read when you start it. You will soon be sucked into the story and unable to put it down.

Fear, devastation, Pain, heartbreak You can't stop once you start! Diana and Finn have a perfect life planned out for themselves. Finn is a surgical resident and she works in the art field. very unexpectedly, a virus starts spreading in Nyc. They had planned to go on a trip to Galapagos but now Finn is extremely needed at the hospital. She goes to Galapagos by herself and is basically stranded in a foreign place with no idea how to speak the language. She finds herself very lonely and she starts to really think and find her true identity. This book is one terrific read!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books For sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my sincere review.

There were elements of interest in this novel: an unflinching glimpse of the COVID-19 pandemic as it devastated NYC during 2020; immersion into a unique community and ecosystem in the Galapagos Islands; a glimpse of the elite art world at NYC auction houses. Unfortunately for me the main character, rendered in first-person POV, was not sympathetic. Readers who want to be submerged in the pain and suffering of the pandemic, and detailed medical procedures might find much of interest here. For those who want a reckoning of what happens when a cultural outsider gets stranded in the Galapagos Islands, this is not your novel. Three stars for effort in grappling with covid-19 while it is still evolving as a villain in our real-world.

“Wish You Were Here,” by Jodi Picoult, Ballantine Books, 336 pages, Nov. 30, 2021.

Diana O’Toole is an associate specialist at Sotheby’s Auction House in New York, but her boss has hinted at a promotion if she can close a deal with a high-profile client, Kotomi Ito, for a Toulouse-Lautrec painting.

Diana is not engaged yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn Colson, a surgical resident at New York-Presbyterian, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday.

But on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: because of the coronavirus outbreak, he has to stay behind. Since their trip is non-refundable, Finn urges Diana to go alone. She thinks the outbreak will be over in a few weeks.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they’d booked is shut down due to the pandemic.

She turns down the opportunity to be on the last ferry off the island and she is stranded until the borders reopen. And Diana doesn’t speak the language. Then she meets an older woman, the woman’s son and his teenage daughter. As she gets more involved with them, Diana begins to wonder if she should stay there and start a new life.

Jodi Picoult writes novels of ordinary people in unusual circumstances. This is an amazing, multi-level novel that is extremely well-researched. There is a major twist that I did not see coming. I thought she couldn’t top her last one, “The Book of Two Ways,” but I was wrong. Don’t miss “Wish You Were Here.”

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I LOVED this book!! I love the characters and I love the story. I didn't want it to end, I'd like to keep reading about them! I was a little unsure if I wanted to read a story set in Covid time but so glad I did. Jodi's research is always amazing and shows in her writing. I highly recommend this read!
#WishYouWereHere #JodiPicoult #Covid #Pandemic
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Jodi Picoult has never been afraid to write about tough topics. This topic is definitely current and relevant.

I usually read to escape the world troubles and drama, but decided to try this heavier read. It may be too soon to read this for some people.

The story follows Diana who has everything planned in life. As time passes in quarantine, she starts to rethink the plans that she has.

Well written and an emotional rollercoaster.

Thanks Netgalley for the gifted arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Diana O’Toole’s life is on track. She’s climbing the corporate ladder in the art auction world and her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic trip to the Galapagos Islands. But when a pandemic hits New York, Finn must stay at the hospital, leaving Diana to take the trip of a lifetime on her own. The longer she is trapped in the remote location, the more Diana questions the path of her life. Will she stay the course with Finn or evolve into a completely different person?

Jodi Picoult never shies away from controversial topics and challenging situations. She has a talent for digging deep into the character's emotional lives to get at the heart of what makes us human. I applaud her bravery for writing about the Covid 19 Pandemic while the virus was still running rampant. This is a remarkable story, full of surprises and poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings. Throughout this pandemic, we have all had a chance to take a close look at our lives and reevaluate our priorities. In Wish You Were Here, Picoult does a masterful job of exploring that phenomenon with care, compassion and nuance. You won't want to miss this one!

In wish you were here, the main character, diana, is trapped on a beautiful island in the kalapagos islands as a result of quarantine for a covid-like virus that is spreading rapidly. The vacation was supposed to be for her and her fiance but unfortunately due to the virus he had to stay home and work in the hospital. The story is about Diana coming into her own and really taking a good look at her life while the fiance keeps us updated on the virus back home. There is a major plot twist about halfway through which left me really! The story is heartbreaking at the same time as it's almost uplifting. I would recommend this book for anyone just looking for a decent read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Wow. In all my years of reading, I can't believe I've never picked up anything by prolific writer Jodi Picoult. I have to be honest here. I always thought of her as a writer of very heavy topics, and I wasn't sure I was ready to read about this particular one. Working in a school, we are still masked, behind plexiglass and taking social distance precautions, a full year and a half since pandemic began. However, I received an invitation to read a NetGalley and accepted. And I'm so glad I did! When we first meet Diana, she is leaving for a bucket list trip to the Galapagos Islands without her surgeon boyfriend who must stay behind in New York to battle the virus, Isolated on the island, she befriends some residents and offers a glimpse into the beautiful scenery before her. Although she cannot get a message out to him due to shoddy WiFi, Finn keeps her updated on the outbreak through e-mail.

Midway through the book, a plot twist had my jaw dropping! This is a heartbreaking story about second chances and how the pandemic has changed us. Some for the better, others will never recover. I am now intrigued and will be looking for more Jodi Picoult books. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of this one.

This is one I just can’t get out of my head. A heartbreaking story of a young woman trying to find her way. I don’t want to spoil the story but I love the subject the author tackled in this one. I can relate to the bleak feel of pandemic life.

Picoult is one of my all time favorite authors so give me any book by her and I'm interested immediately. There's no need to even read the description, just gimme! I jumped right into this one and I really wanted to like it, but I just could not get passed the "covid" stuff. I've already read one pandemic related book and it was great, but this one was lacking so much for me. I guess it's my fault for not knowing what I was getting into and being in the right mindset for it.

Wish You Were Here really hits home for most of us, as we are still living through this pandemic. The main character, Diana, lets us imagine what it would be like being trapped in the beautiful Galapagos Islands while her boyfriend, Finn, reminds us what it is like living in the middle of the COVID pandemic in New York. I love how Jodi Picoult always throws in a twist in her novels and I did not see this one coming. Wish You Were Here really makes you feel like you are a character in the book. This is a great read for fans of realistic fiction!

This was one of the best books I've read. The fact that it has an upto date subgect makes it a better read. I also like the 2 parts of the book. I would buy this for friends and I just had a friend preorder Wish You Were Here on my recommendation. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Author Jodi Picoult is known for writing stories dealing with the contemporary hot button issues at the moment. The most talked about topic for the past two years is COVID-19. Picoult realistically captured the sense of the time - fear of the unknown, isolation, quarantine, loneliness, and loss. In the midst of all the doom scrolling, there is a glimmer of hope and a closer look at the path not taken.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This is a story of today. Picoult weaves a mesmerizing tale of a couple who live in NYC at the beginning of the Covid pandemic and its impact to the USA. Diana and Finn are the #realtionshipgoals couple of their peer group. Then the pandemic hits their lives personally. Finn is a surgery resident at NY Presbyterian Hospital as the news of what is about to happen starts as rumors and grows into the ravages of the pandemic. Diana is an up-and-coming art specialist working as an assistant at Sotheby's and is on the verge of the big break of her career, selling a painting from the private collection of "the woman who broke up the biggest band of rock and roll", Kitomi Ito. The day after Diana has a private meeting with Kitomi, the couple are set to leave on their dream vacation to the Galopagos. Kitomi seems hesitant to auction her painting due to the murmurings about the pandemic and its affect on the market for luxury items. The same day, Finn finds himself no longer able to leave the city due to the "all hands on deck" at the hospital. Diana is worried that she will lose her promotion and job if the auction fails to happen. Finn and Diana argue about what to do about their trip when they are about to lose all the money that they paid for it. Finn thinks that Diana should still go even though he cannot and Diana is hesitant at first and then decides that he's right. So off she goes to the island, where things are not as expected. Diana is alone, on an island where she doesn't speak the language, where everything is shutting down as she arrives and there is minimal connectivity with the outside world. So, Diana is alone in her thoughts and trying to interact with the locals as much as possible.
The story is a ride from there completely worth taking. I won't say anything else to avoid giving any of the plot. Just read it if you enjoy Picoult or are ready for a pandemic story that is full of facts and not gratuitous tales of bad outcomes. This is only part, although an important part, of the story. It is a treat to see the characters reflect on their choices, relationships and lives.
My only critique of the book is a small one. As someone who works in medicine, I think that some of the sections are overly specific in medical terminology. I find that this information is not fun reading or very helpful to those who are not medical. The medication names and procedures are not familiar to most people and don't really offer significant teaching unless you already understand the subject. It makes sense that these passages are there as they are but I wonder if there might be an alternative way to give this information. It does not affect the pacing of the book in any noticeable way, but I know the information already, so I am probably not the best judge of this.
4.5/5
Pick it up!
Definitely worth reading and highly recommend.

#WishYouWereHere #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroup #BallantineBooks

*Possible Spoiler*

Jodi Picoult’s latest novel takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a bit surreal to read it as we are definitely not fully out of the pandemic yet. The story starts right as things were beginning to get really bad in NYC and revolves around a trip that Diana O’Toole takes without her boyfriend, Finn. As a doctor, he must stay behind to work.

In an even more surreal twist, I read this during the same time period as I was binge-watching Schitt’s Creek and in the middle of the Ted/Alexis/Galapagos storyline. Diana’s trip? To the Galapagos! During the first part of this novel, Diana is figuring out how to live in this foreign country during a lockdown period and begins contemplating her life with Finn. She was sure he would have proposed to her on the trip, but she now finds herself wondering if that is what she really wants. During the second half of the novel, Diana has to deal with these feelings once she is back home.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Wish You Were Here, but I am glad I read it. I am fortunate to have been dealing with the pandemic pretty well. However, I think this novel should come with a warning for those who may not have fared so well. I think anyone who has experienced long-haul COVID may really want to approach this with caution. That being said, there were a few things about long-haul COVID that I did not know and this book prompted me to do some research into the topic.

This was a wonderful story, but approach with caution if COVID-19 was a tough experience for you.

I love Jodi Picoult books. While reading her books I find myself emotionally drained, Wish You Were Here was no exception. The journey that the main character, Diana, goes on during this book made me smile, gasp, get teary-eyed, and feel almost every other emotion possible. While the topic of the Coronavirus global pandemic might be too soon to be a good storyline, I thought this book was well written and filled with interesting insight into the topic. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for a digital arc of this title.

“You cannot trust perception. Falling, at first, feels like flying.”

I am a huge fan Jodi Picoult! Her books are what got me into reading as an adult and she is one of the few authors books I keep. I was beyond excited when I received the NetGalley approval!

No Spoilers!

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect with a pandemic themed novel but if there’s anyone who could tell this story with understanding, knowledge, and authenticity, it’s Jodi Picoult. I was blown away by how much I loved this book. It just may be my few favorite of her books!

Wish You Were Here was amazing! A stunning, intense, page turner. The story and the characters captivated me from beginning to end. Make no mistake this book is heavy and heartbreaking, but it’s also compelling, addictive, and brilliantly written. Jodi has a way of writing twists into her stories you don’t see coming and holy crap did this twist smack me right in the face! I will say no more. I think the less you know going in, the better!

Truly another masterpiece by Picoult that will stick with me for a very long time!

Pub Date: 11/30/21 Pre-order your copy now!

I highly, highly recommend this beautiful book!

Thank you @netgalley and @RandomHousePublishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

My review will be published on Goodreads and Instagram.
#WishYouWereHere#JodiPicoult#RandomHousePublishng#AlisReads #flippin_and_sippin_mn

Jodi Picoult hits this one out of the park for all that lost their way during 2020.The first author I have read that took a stab at the pandemic, our loss and the roller coaster of emotions we rode on. What I thought was a book about Diana O'Toole, our narrator and pandemic heroine getting caught in paradise when the world shut down, quickly turned into a whirlwind, upside down curve ball of an adventure. This book is a great therapy session for all the anxieties and crazy emotions that 2020 put us through.

It will resonate with all of us who were locked away, kept from friends and family and most importantly felt robbed of life from Covid 19. Many of Diane's experiences were very much my own and I felt a true kinship to this character. Jodi answers that question we have all asked, "why?" She sends you to paradise and back home, unnerves you while giving you comfort, and may even give you closure. A great read one should not miss this year.
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